diff --git a/vp8/vp8_cx_iface.c b/vp8/vp8_cx_iface.c
index 19e9d2701..11d244f22 100644
--- a/vp8/vp8_cx_iface.c
+++ b/vp8/vp8_cx_iface.c
@@ -748,9 +748,6 @@ static vpx_codec_err_t vp8e_encode(vpx_codec_alg_priv_t  *ctx,
 {
     vpx_codec_err_t res = VPX_CODEC_OK;
 
-    if (!ctx->cfg.rc_target_bitrate)
-        return res;
-
     if (!ctx->cfg.rc_target_bitrate)
         return res;